Ecological Archives E094-084-D1

D. A. Kelt, P. L. Meserve, J. R. Gutiérrez, W. Bryan Milstead, M. A. Previtali. 2013. Long-term monitoring of mammals in the face of biotic and abiotic influences at a semiarid site in north-central Chile. Ecology 94:977. http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/12-1811.1


Fray Jorge Plant Metadata

Introduction

We have sampled the plant community at our long-term site in Bosque Fray Jorge National Park since 1989. Surveys emphasize cover of both annual (5–6 times annually) and perennial (4 times annually) plants on permanently marked transects. Seed bank density is estimated from soil samples collected under permanently marked shrubs and in the open (3 times annually). Because germination of annual plants is dependent upon rainfall, the timing of annual plant surveys varies somewhat from year to year as it is timed to coincide with the growing season for herbaceous plants. This metadata file describes the collection of data and the structure of the associated data sets. The plant data set consists of four files representing perennial shrub cover, ephemeral (annual + geophytes) cover, and soil seed densities.

Metadata

Class I. Data set descriptors

A. Data set identity: Long-term monitoring in the face of biotic and abiotic influences at a semiarid site in north-central Chile.

B. Data set identification code:

Fray_Jorge_Annuals_1989-2005.txt
Fray_Jorge_Perennials_1989-2005.txt
Fray_Jorge_Seeds_1989-2002.txt
Fray_Jorge_Seeds_2003-2005 I.txt
Fray_Jorge_Seeds_2003-2005 II.txt

C. Data set description

Principal Investigators:

Julio R. Gutiérrez, Departamento de Biología, Universidad de La Serena, La Serena Chile
Peter L. Meserve, Department of iological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb IL 60115, USA
Douglas A. Kelt, Department of Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis CA 95616, USA

Abstract: The data set covers a 16-year period (1989–2005) of ephemeral and perennial vegetation surveys, and of standardized measurements of the size and composition of the seed bank at a semiarid site in north-central Chile.

D. Key words: annual plants; arid ecosystem; climate; competition; herbivory; perennials; seed bank; shrub cover.

Class II. Research origin descriptors

A. Overall project description

Identity:Transect-based survey data of plant cover and seed bank density on 16 experimental plots at a semi-arid research site in north-central Chile.

Originators: See main metadata file metadata.php.

Period of Study: 1989–2005, ongoing.

Objectives:To monitor the community- and population-level dynamics of plants in a semiarid region and assess the cascading effects of biotic as well as abiotic influences.

Sources of funding: See main metadata file metadata.php.

B. Specific subproject description

1. Site description: See main metadata file metadata.php.

2. Experimental/Sampling design: See main metadata file metadata.php.

Treatments: See main metadata file metadata.php., Table 1, for details on treatment assignments for each plot.

Data Collection Period, Frequency: Perennial shrub cover is measured every three months (March, July, November). Ephemeral plant (annuals + geophytes) cover is measured monthly in the growing season (April/August to October/December); cover typically peaks in September, and all publications have used September values, so here we present only September cover data. Soil samples are collected every four months (April, August, December).

3. Research Methods

Field:On each plot within the Central Grid Complex (e.g., excluding +F treatments) we established four permanent 75-m long transects oriented E-W and separated by 15 m. Vegetation (both perennial and ephemeral) is measured using the point-intercept method along these transects. At 3-month intervals (March, July, November) we measure perennial cover at 0.5 m intervals along the entire transect (75 points × 4 transects = 300 points per plot). Ephemeral (annual + geophyte) cover is measured monthly during the growing season (April/August to October/December) on 10 randomly selected 1.5 m segments from these transects. Segments are sampled at 5 cm intervals (30 points × 10 segments × 4 transects = 1200 points per plot).
We characterized the soil seed bank by collecting 10 soil samples, 3 cm dia × 5 cm depth (35.35 cm3), from beneath the canopy of permanently marked shrubs in each plot, and 10 identical samples from open areas >1 m from shrub cover. From 1989 through 2002 we combined all 20 samples in a single measurement for each grid during each sampling period. Beginning 2003 we tallied seed samples separately for the 10 samples collected under shrub canopy and the 10 samples collected from open microhabitats.
Beginning 2003 we supplemented the above sampling of soil seed bank with additional samples (dimensions as above) to characterize the seed bank under each of three principal shrub species (Adesmia bedwellii, Porlieria chilensis, and Proustia pungens) as well as open habitat at least 1 m from shrub cover. We targeted these samples at only control (+D+P) and all small mammal exclusions (-SM, previously -D-P) grids. We sampled the same shrubs in each replicate collection.
As noted above, seeds are sampled in April, August, and December. April samples contain the seeds present in the soil after seed set but before germination of annuals. August samples contain the seeds remaining after germination of annuals. December samples contain the seeds 1–2 months after seed set of annuals. Seeds are separated in the lab by sieving and/or flotation, then oven-dried and identified to species under a stereoscopic microscope (NIKON SMZ-10) using a reference collection of seeds collected from plants in the field.

Taxonomy and systematics:Based primarily on Marticorena and Quezada (1985) and Marticorena et al. (2001), with minor updates (see Table 6).

4. Project personnel:Several people have been involved in plant data collection. Listed chronologically, they are: Elier Tabilo, Miguel Angel Torrealba, Sergio Herrera, Gina Arancio, Hernán Vásquez, Sergio Silva, Patricia Vidiella, Alvaro Levicán, Alex Cea, and Leticia Sánchez.

 

Class III. DATA SET STATUS AND ACCESSIBILITY

A. Status

Latest Update: 2005.

Latest Archive date: 2005.

Metadata status: The metadata are complete and up to date.

Data verification:Plant identifications are verified in the field by checking a reference collection of plants from the site. Unknown species are collected for later identification. Data entered into the computer are checked to ensure reliable data entry. Gina Arancio (Curator, Universidad de La Serena Herbarium) has been particularly important in determination of plant species. Voucher specimens for many species have been deposited in the Universidad de La Serena Herbarium. Seed identifications are verified in the lab by checking a reference collection of seeds from the site.

B. Accessibility

Storage location and medium:(Ecological Society of America data archives [Ecological Archives], URL published in each issue of its journals). Original data files and original datasheets reside with J. R. Gutiérrez.

Contact person:Julio R. Gutiérrez, Departamento de Biología, Universidad de La Serena, La Serena Chile. E-mail: jgutierr@userena.cl.

Copyright restrictions: None.

Proprietary restrictions: We impose no proprietary restrictions on these data, but we do request that authors pursuing efforts with these data communicate with us in advance to prevent redundant efforts. Additionally, we request that authors of publications using these data notify Julio R. Gutiérrez (contact information above) of publication of their study. This helps us to document the scientific value and use of these data and will contribute to our annual reporting to the National Science Foundation.

Costs: None.

 

Class IV. DATA STRUCTURAL DESCRIPTORS

A. Data Set File:

Identity:

Fray_Jorge_Annuals_1989-2005.txt
Fray_Jorge_Perennials_1989-2005.txt
Fray_Jorge_Seeds_1989-2002.txt
Fray_Jorge_Seeds_2003-2005I.txt
Fray_Jorge_Seeds_2003-2005II.txt

Size:

File name

Number of rows (including header)

Number of kilobytes

Fray_Jorge_Annuals_1989-2005.txt

1073

124

Fray_Jorge_Perennials_1989-2005.txt

401

143

Fray_Jorge_Seeds_1989-2002.txt

705

64

Fray_Jorge_Seeds_2003-2005I.txt

2433

121

Fray_Jorge_Seeds_2003-2005II.txt

5953

215

Format and storage mode: ASCII text, tab-delimited. No compression scheme used.

Header information: The first row of the file contains the variable names below.

Alphanumeric attributes: Mixed.

B. Variable information

Table 1. Column information for Fray_Jorge_Annuals_1989-2005.txt. Each row contains information on the percent cover of each species in a given grid during a particular year. Although similar data are collected monthly through the growing season, plant cover generally is greatest in September and all publications have used data for this month; consequently, we present only data for September.

Variable name

Variable definition

Storage type

Variable codes, definitions, and notes

Species

Four letter acronym unique for each species of plant at Fray Jorge.

Character

See Table 5 below for species codes, scientific names, growth form (annual, perennial), plant type (herb, shrub, geophyte), and orign (native vs. exotic).

Trt

Biotic treatment pertaining to this plot.

Character

+D-P = Plus Degu Minus Predator
-D-P = Minus Degu Minus Predator
+D+P = Plus Degu Plus Predator
-D+P/-SM = Minus Degu Plus Predator, converted to –SM (Minus all Small Mammals) in 2000

Grid

Grid number

Integer

1-16 (e.g., Central Grid Complex only)

1989-2005

Ground cover of a given species in a plot in the year indicated.

Integer

Range 0-100%

 

Table 2. Column information for Fray_Jorge_Perennials_1989-2005.txt. Each row contains information on the percent cover of each species in a given grid during a particular year (in September).

Variable name

Variable definition

Storage type

Variable codes, definitions, and notes

Species

Four letter acronym unique for each species of plant at Fray Jorge.

Character

See Table 5 below for species codes, scientific names, growth form (annual, perennial), plant type (herb, shrub, geophyte), and origin (native vs. exotic).

Trt

Biotic treatment pertaining to this plot.

Character

+D-P = Plus Degu Minus Predator
-D-P = Minus Degu Minus Predator
+D+P = Plus Degu Plus Predator
-D+P/-SM = Minus Degu Plus Predator, converted to –SM (Minus all Small Mammals) in 2000

Grid

Grid number

Integer

1-16 (e.g., Central Grid Complex only)

Mar-89 – Dec-05

Ground cover of a given species in a plot in the year indicated.

Integer

Range 0–100%; ND = no data.

 

Table 3. Column information for Fray_Jorge_Seeds_1989-2002.txt.

Variable name

Variable definition

Storage type

Variable codes, definitions, and notes

Species

Four letter acronym unique for each species of plant at Fray Jorge.

Character

See Table 5 below for species codes, scientific names, growth form (annual, perennial), plant type (herb, shrub, geophyte), and origin (native vs. exotic).

Trt

Biotic treatment pertaining to this plot.

Character

+D-P = Plus Degu Minus Predator
-D-P = Minus Degu Minus Predator
+D+P = Plus Degu Plus Predator
-D+P/-SM = Minus Degu Plus Predator, converted to –SM (Minus all Small Mammals) in 2000

Grid

Grid number

Integer

1-16 (e.g., Central Grid Complex only)

Apr-89 – Dec-02

Number of seeds recovered (summed across samples within a grid).

Integer

ND = no data (2000 and 2001) during years with limited funding.

 

Table 4. Column information for Fray_Jorge_Seeds_2003-2005I.txt.

Variable name

Variable definition

Storage type

Variable codes, definitions, and notes

Species

Four letter acronym unique for each species of plant at Fray Jorge.

Character

See Table 5 below for species codes, scientific names, growth form (annual, perennial), plant type (herb, shrub, geophyte), and origin (native vs. exotic).

Trt

Biotic treatment pertaining to this plot.

Character

+D-P: Predator exclusion
-SM = Minus all Small Mammals (-D-P plots converted to –SM in 2000)

Grid

Grid number

Integer

1-16 (e.g., Central Grid Complex only)

Position

Microhabiat of soil collection.

Character

b = bajo (beneath shrub cover)
e = entre (between shrubs; open microhabitat)

Apr-xx, Aug-xx, Dec-xx (where xx = “03”, “04”, or “05)

Number of seeds recovered (summed across samples within a grid).

Integer

 

 

Table 5. Column information for Fray_Jorge_Seeds_2003-2005II.txt.

Variable name

Variable definition

Storage type

Variable codes, definitions, and notes

Species

Four letter acronym unique for each species of plant at Fray Jorge.

Character

See Table 5 below for species codes, scientific names, growth form (annual, perennial), plant type (herb, shrub, geophyte), and origin (native vs. exotic).

Trt

Biotic treatment pertaining to this plot.

Character

+D-P: Predator exclusion
-SM = Minus all Small Mammals (-D-P plots converted to –SM in 2000)

Grid

Grid number

Integer

3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15

Shrub

Microhabitat of soil collection, including 3 replicates for each of 4 microhabitats in each grid.

Character

Adbe1, Adbe2, Adbe3 = Adesmia bedwellii #1, 2, 3;
Open1, Open2, Open3 = Open (between shrubs) #1, 2, 3;
Poch1, Poch2, Poch3 = Porlieria chilensis #1, 2, 3;
Prcu1, Prcu2, Prcu3 = Proustia cuneifolia #1, 2, 3.

Apr-xx, Aug-xx, Dec-xx (where xx = “03”, “04”, or “05)

Number of seeds recovered (summed across samples within a grid).

Integer

 

 

Table 6. Plant species codes, scientific names, type, and origin (N: native, 78 species, E: exotic, 15 species).

Acronym

Species

Ann/Peren

Plant Type

Origin

ADBE

Adesmia bedwellii

Perennial

Shrub

N

ADFI

Adesmia filifolia

Annual

Shrub

N

ADTE

Adesmia tenella

Annual

Herb

N

ALDI

Alstroemeria diluta

Annual

Geophyte

N

ALMA

Alstroemeria magnifica ssp. magenta

Annual

Geophyte

N

AMCA

Amsinckia calycina

Annual

Herb

N

ANLI

Anisomeria littoralis

Perennial

Shrub

N

ASGE

Astephanus geminiflorus

Perennial

Shrub

N

BAAM

Bahia ambrosioides

Perennial

Shrub

N

BAPA

Baccharis paniculata

Perennial

Shrub

N

BOIN

Bowlesia incana

Annual

Herb

N

BOTR

Bowlesia tropaeolifolia

Annual

Herb

N

BRBE

Bromus berteroanus

Annual

Grass

N

BRIN

Bridgesia incisifolia

Perennial

Herb

N

CADE

Camissonia dentata

Annual

Herb

N

CARA

Cardionema ramosissimum

Perennial

Herb

N

CASP

Calandrinia sp.

Annual

Shrub

N

CHLI

Chaetanthera linearis

Annual

Shrub

N

CHPE

Chenopodium petiolare

Perennial

Shrub

N

CILA

Ciclospermum laciniatum (=Apium laciniatum)

Annual

Herb

N

CIST

Cistanthe arenaria

Annual

Herb

N

CLTE

Clarkia tenella

Annual

Herb

N

COCA

Conanthera campanulata

Perennial

Geophyte

N

CRCL

Crassula closiana

Annual

Herb

N

CRGR

Cristaria (prev. Malvastrum) gracilis

Annual

Herb

N

CRAS

Cristaria aspera

Annual

Herb

N

CRGL

Cryptantha glomerata

Annual

Herb

N

CRSP

Cryptantha sp.

Annual

Herb

N

CUMI

Cuscuta micrantha

Annual

Herb

N

DECU

Descurainia cumingiana

Annual

Herb

N

DIHU

Dioscorea humifusa

Perennial

Herb

N

ECCH

Echinopsis chilensis

Perennial

Cactus

N

ENCA

Encelia canescens

Perennial

Shrub

N

ERLU

Erigeron luxurians

Perennial

Shrub

N

ERBO

Erodium botrys

Annual

Herb

E

ERCI

Erodium cicutarium

Annual

Herb

E

ERMA

Erodium malacoides

Annual

Herb

E

ERMO

Erodium moschatum

Annual

Herb

E

ERCO

Eryngium coquimbanum

Annual

Herb

N

EUSA

Eupatorium salvia

Perennial

Shrub

N

FARE

Facelis retusa

Annual

Herb

N

FLTH 

Flourensia thurifera

Perennial

Shrub

N

GAAP

Galium aparine

Annual

Herb

E

GAPH

Gastridium (prev. Koeleria) phleoides

Annual

Grass

N

GASP

Gamochaeta sp.

Annual

Herb

N

GURE

Gutierrezia resinosa

Perennial

Shrub

N

HACE

Haplopappus cerberoanus

Perennial

Shrub

N

HAHI

Haplopappus hirtellus

Perennial

Shrub

N

HEAR

Helenium aromaticum

Annual

Herb

N

HOMA

Homalocarpus dichotomus

Annual

Herb

N

HYSP

Hypochaeris sp.

Annual

Herb

N

LACH

Lastarriaea chilensis

Annual

Herb

N

LEPU

Leucocoryne purpurea

Annual

Geophyte

N

LESP

Leucheria sp.

Annual

Herb

N

LITE

Linaria texana

Annual

Herb

E

LOAS

Loasa tricolor

Annual

Herb

N

LYCH

Lycium chilense

Perennial

Shrub

N

MAHU

Malesherbia humilis

Annual

Herb

N

MANI

Malva nicaensis

Annual

Herb

E

MAPA

Malva parviflora

Annual

Herb

E

MELI

Menonvillea litoralis

Annual

Herb

N

MESP

Medicago sp.

Annual

Herb

E

MICO

Mirabilis cordifolia

Perennial

Herb

N

MIPI

Microseris pygmaea

Annual

Herb

N

MOPI

Moscharia pinnatifida

Annual

Herb

N

MOTR

Montiopsis trifida

Annual

Herb

N

NAPU

Nasella pubiflora

Perennial

Herb

N

NISP

Nicotiana sp.

Annual

Herb

N

OECO

Oenothera coquimbensis

Annual

Herb

E

OLJU

Olsynium junceum

Annual

Geophyte

N

OXMI

Oxalis micrantha

Annual

Herb

N

PACO

Pasithea coerulea

Perennial

Geophyte

N

PADE

Parietaria debilis

Annual

Herb

N

PEDI

Pectocarya dimorpha

Annual

Herb

N

PELI

Pectocarya linearis

Annual

Herb

N

PLHI

Plantago hispidula

Annual

Herb

N

POCH

Porlieria chilensis

Perennial

Shrub

N

PRCU

Proustia cuneifolia (=P. pungens)

Perennial

Shrub

N

RHPH

Rhodophiala phycelloides

Perennial

Geophyte

N

SCAR

Schismus arabicus

Annual

Grass

E

SCCO

Schizopetalon corymbosum

Annual

Herb

N

SCLI

Schizanthus litoralis

Annual

Geophyte

N

SECU

Senna cumingii

Perennial

Shrub

N

SESP

Senecio sp.

Perennial

Shrub

N

SIBA

Sicyos baderoa

Annual

Herb

N

SIGA

Silene gallica

Annual

Herb

E

SOOL

Sonchus oleraceus

Annual

Herb

E

STGR

Stachys grandidentata

Annual

Herb

N

STME

Stellaria media

Annual

Herb

E

STPL

Stipa plumosa

Perennial

Grass

N

STSP

Stipa speciosa

Perennial

Grass

N

TRPL

Trichopetalum plumosum

Annual

Herb

N

TWCO

Tweedia confertiflora

Perennial

Vine

N

URUR

Urtica urens

Annual

Herb

E

VABR

Valeriana bridgesii

Annual

Herb

N

VIPU

Viola pusilla

Annual

Herb

N

VUBR

Vulpia bromoides (=V. dertonensis)

Annual

Herb

E

UNID

Unidentified

--

--

--

SOIL

Bare soil

--

--

--

TCOB

Total Cover

--

--

--

 

Class V. Supplemental descriptors

A. Publications using the data set: See main metadata file metadata.php.

 

Literature cited

Marticorena, C., and M. Quezada M. 1985. Catálogo de la flora vascular de Chile. Gayana Botanica 42:1–157.

Marticorena, C., F. A. Squeo, G. A. Arancio, and M. Muñoz. 2001. Catálogo de la flora de la IV Región. Pages 105–142 in F. A. Squeo, G. A. Arancio, and J. R. Gutiérrez, editors. Libro rojo de la flora nativa y de los sitios prioritarios para su conservacion: Region de Coquimbo. Ediciones Universidad de La Serena, Santiago, Chile.


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